I was thinking the same thing.  At least at the Smithsonian, flags should
go off if a position is only open for 2 weeks.  Even within my own office,
we have had open positions which we were required to advertise for
when all along it was know who would be hired.  For Smithsonian and
Federal jobs, I generally won't even bother to apply unless the position is
open for longer than 2 weeks.  Another suggestion... I will generally try
to call someone I know at the museum and ask them to find out if the
position is "real."  It is surprising how many are not.

--------------------------
Laura M. Mahoney
Grant/Contract Specialist
Office of Sponsored Projects, Smithsonian Institution
955 L'Enfant Plaza, Suite 7400
Washington, D.C. 20560
Voice: (202) 287-2170;  FAX: (202) 287-3707
E-mail:  [log in to unmask]

>>> Ross Weeks <[log in to unmask]> 01/16/98 10:20am >>>
The question is raised about why so many museum job postings allow
very
little time for someone to submit an application, and the anticipated
"start date" for the successful applicant isn't mentioned.

Are many, if not most, of these postings simply an effort by the museums
to
be able to verify that their openings were "advertised" widely in the
effort to seek non-traditional applicants, i.e., to comply with affirmative
action policies?

In so many cases, I am afraid, the museum has already pre-selected
someone
for a job but either government regulation or museum policy requires that
every vacancy be advertised.  I'd be curious how many museums really
do
open their best positions to all who might be qualified/interested....and
then select from that pool without prior familiarity with the applicants.